Former EastEnders star Dean Gaffney has received “nasty head injuries” in a car crash.

The 34-year-old actor, who played Robbie Jackson in the soap, was admitted to hospital after he veered into the central reservation of a road in Derbyshire as he returned from his role in the play, A Murder Is Announced.

Dave Read, Mr Gaffney’s agent, said his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening and he would hopefully make a quick recovery.

“He’s got some nasty head injuries but the good news is that he’s going to be okay,” he said.

“It was a bad crash and we’re grateful it wasn’t any worse.”

There was nobody else in the car with Mr Gaffney at the time of the accident and nobody else was involved.

A spokeswoman for Derbyshire Police said: “We can confirm that a 34-year-old man was involved in a collision on the A38 at around 10.45pm last night.

“There was just one car involved that hit the central reservation.

“He was taken to Royal Derby Hospital where he received treatment for head injuries but those injuries aren’t thought to be life-threatening.”

Part of the A38 was closed for nearly three hours after the crash and the car, which was not driveable after the accident, removed from the area.

Friends of the actor, who has also appeared in The Bill and Ricky Gervais’s Extras, took to Twitter to wish him well.

A comment left by Steven Van Der Lammie said: “Whenever I’ve worked with Dean Gaffney, he’s always been so kind and funny... I really hope he pulls through his car accident! x”

Danny Panthaki said of the actor: “Hearing that Dean Gaffney was in a very serious car crash last night. Hope he pulls through. A top, genuine guy.”

Some feared he was critically ill before the news that his injuries were not life-threatening, and offered their support and thoughts for his recovery.

Actor Tamer Hassan wrote: “Can we all pray for my good friend Dean Gaffney who has just had a bad car accident and is fighting for his life.”